Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.7 percent.
North Carolina’s February 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 16,648 over the month to 4,691,581 and increased 104,362 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 7,612 over the month to 252,452 and decreased 1,461 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 9,100 to 4,386,100 in February. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services at 3,500, followed by Education & Health Services, 1,700; Professional & Business Services, 1,200; Other Services, 1,000; Government, 900; Manufacturing, 800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 600; Construction, 300; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 500; and Financial Activities, 500.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since February 2016
| Feb 2016 | Mar 2016 | Apr 2016 | May 2016 | June 2016 | July 2016 | Aug 2016 | Sep 2016 | Oct 2016 | Nov 2016 | Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 | Feb 2017 | |
| N.C. | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| U.S. | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since February 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 76,800 with the Total Private sector growing by 70,800 and Government increasing by 6,000. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 20,200, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,500; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 11,800; Education & Health Services, 11,000; Construction, 7,600; Government, 6,000; Other Services, 5,900; Financial Activities, 5,600; and Mining & Logging, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 3,700; and Information, 1,400.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 2017 when the county unemployment rates for February 2017 will be released.